As of October 8, 2021, my move halfway across the country, from Southern California to Central Kansas, is complete! What an undertaking that was; one I don’t wish to repeat. I spent weeks carefully packing my things, which includes a huge, heavy antique china cabinet plus lots of antique glassware left to me by my mom. I spent more money on boxes and bubble wrap than I ever imagined possible, but I wanted to make sure things made it the ~1350 miles in one piece. It was a complicated move, too. I hired a company called U-pack to move my possessions and another called Orange Auto Transport to move my vehicle. The problem with the U-pack, was that the big 26′ moving trailer wasn’t allowed into the mobile home park. I therefore had to rent a big Uhaul truck, drive it home myself, and have the two movers I’d hired load the Uhaul, which I then drove to the U-pack facility (luckily just a few miles away), offload the Uhaul and load up the U-pack. It was a very nerve-wracking experience. I’m happy it’s behind me, and most important, the china cabinet arrived safely. I’m pleased to report my upstairs rooms are completely unpacked and decorated by now. I also have a large basement still full of boxes just waiting to be unpacked… maybe next week!
I took a break from housework yesterday and drove to nearby Sand Hills State Park for some outdoors time. It was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the low 70s. Perfect for a nature walk. I took a few pictures, then drove around the local area before I heard my house calling me back for some yard work time. I have half an acre now, lots of big trees, and space just calling for vegetable and flower gardens! I’ll keep myself busy here, that’s for sure. ~SueBee
I haven’t figured out what this is. If anyone knows, please pass along the info. 
Osage Orange Tree. The fruit isn’t edible. 
I enjoy taking pictures of various signs. 
Prairie land 
Along the road in Medora 
A local town. 
Sunflowers at the end of the season.
SueBee and Kat 
Is the mystery plant staghorn sumac?
Well done for making the move. Your yard sounds most potential.
I do believe you’ve got it! Staghorn sumac… in looking through additional pictures I took that showed the leaves, and comparing to google images, they do look the same. I also looked up if it grows in Kansas and found out yes, indeed it does. Thank you!
A pleasure. I used Google Lens which is often helpful.
As someone who also just recently moved, from So-Cal to Indiana, I feel your pain! Glad you made it through the move and its many stresses, and hope you get settled very soon 🙂
Oh wow, you moved, too! Good luck as we learn to adjust to new climate and fun things to explore!!
I’m not looking forward to winter, but everything else has been great!
I’m excited for winter…. but, ask me again in Spring, haha!
By the way, your book sounds right up my alley. I look forward to reading it!
Yay! I hope very much that you like it!